AlphaMCS Downtime
AlphaMCS will be down 5 p.m.-8 p.m. tonight, February 2, 2017 as part of a system build. Partners apologizes for the short notice.
In this AlphaMCS build, providers will notice that the Backup Staffing module has moved to the HTML format. The screens may take a little longer to load.
The new screens may be slow with Internet Explorer 10 so you may need to upgrade to Internet Explorer 11 or use Firefox for your internet browser.
You can use the filter button to find previous items. If you click on the line, it will expand and show the Update, View, Print and Copy to New buttons.
If you have questions, please contact the IT Service Desk, between the hours of 8 a.m.-5 p.m., at 704-842-6431.
FY 2017-18 State-Funded Services Benefit Plan Changes
Partners has spent the last year evaluating its State Funded Services Benefit Plan. Partners’ leadership and clinical staff have assessed several factors in this process. Utilization, clinical efficacy and appropriateness, and maximizing effective services to the citizens of our eight counties were the main focal points of this intensive review. Based on this, the following changes will be effective July 1, 2017 to the Partners’ State Funded Benefit Plan.
| Services & Service Codes | Benefit Plan Changes |
| YP620 – Adult Development Vocational Program (ADVP) | 25% reduction in this service budget line item for Fiscal Year 2017-18 A further 25 % reduction from the Fiscal Year 2016-17 level of funding for this service for Fiscal Year 2018-19 |
| H2022 – Intensive In Home Services (IIH) | Will be eliminated from the State Funded Benefit plan effective July 1, 2017
The episode of treatment should be completed prior to or by June 30, 2017 and consumer transitions should be completed. |
| H2014 HM – Developmental Therapies Paraprofessional Individual | Will be eliminated from the State Funded Benefit plan effective July 1, 2017
The episode of treatment should be completed prior to or by June 30, 2017 and consumer transitions should be completed. |
| H2012 HA – Child/Adolescent Day Treatment | Will be eliminated from the State Funded Benefit plan effective July 1, 2017
The episode of treatment should be completed prior to or by June 30, 2017 and consumer transitions should be completed. |
| YP660- Day Activity | Effective July 1, 2017:
|
| H0040 – Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACTT) | Effective July 1, 2017:
|
| H2035 – Substance Abuse Comprehensive Outpatient Treatment Program (SACOT) | Effective July 1, 2017
Prior authorization is required. No exceptions, no pass-through. |
| H0015 – Substance Abuse Intensive Outpatient Treatment (SAIOP) | Effective July 1, 2017
|
| 90837 – Psychotherapy – 60 minutes | Eliminated from the State Funded Benefit Plan effective July 1, 2017
The episode of treatment should be completed prior to or by June 30, 2017 and consumer transitions should be completed. |
| All Outpatient Basic Benefits Codes
(Evaluation and Management Codes (E/M) not included) |
Effective July 1, 2017:
|
Three-Way Hospital Contracts and Authorizations
Effective January 31, 2017, the Division of Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities/Substance Abuse Services (DMHDDSAS) terminated all existing “three-way contracts” for this special state funding of hospital beds. Instead, DMHDDSAS has issued updated contracts between DMH, the LME/MCO and the Three-Way facilities. The new contracts still have DMHDDSAS paying hospitals allotted and limited amounts via each LME/MCO. However, DMHDDSAS has made a few contractual changes, including increasing the administrative duties of the LME/MCO in allocating those DMHDDSAS funds to the Three-way hospitals. In particular, the new contracts require the MCO to select one of two options related to Utilization Management:
- Option 1 is for prior authorization; and
- Option 2 is for post payment reviews.
Both are based on medical necessity.
Partners has chosen to follow the guidelines for Option One. This requires Three-Way providers to submit SARs and clinical justification for all admissions. The “pass through” of seven days for Mental Health and four days for Substance Use consumers will no longer be allowed beginning February 1, 2017.
Three-Way providers have up to three calendar days, after midnight of the day of admission to submit a Service Authorization Request (SAR). Partners’ Utilization Management will review for medical necessity back to the date of admission. Providers can request seven days mental health, and four days substance use, on the initial authorization. If medical necessity is not found to be justified, no days will be reimbursed.
Request for continuing stay must be submitted no later than the last day of the current authorization. All requests for continuing stay can only be for up to three days at one time.
Partners has opposed this new arrangement and will continue to discuss concerns with DMHDDSAS. However, in the meantime, these new contracts must be executed and new process implemented to ensure continuity of care to consumers and of funding to impacted providers.
Register for the February Provider Forum
Start the year off right by attending Partners’ Provider Forum!
Date & Time: February 14, 2017, 1 – 3 p.m.
Location: Gastonia Auditorium with video conference to Elkin & Hickory
- Gastonia Corporate Office: 901 S. New Hope Road, Gastonia, NC 28054. Use the Auditorium Entrance, not the main entrance, to access the auditorium.
- Hickory Regional Office: 1985 Tate Blvd.SE, Hickory, NC 28602. Access the basement level from the main lobby. Enter Partners’ office to get to the multipurpose room.
- Elkin Regional Office: 200 Elkin Business Park Drive, Elkin, NC 28621. Use the front entrance to access the large conference room.
RSVP by clicking on location where you will attend:
Elkin Regional Office Gastonia Corporate Office Hickory Regional Office
Your Input Needed: Partners’ Needs Assessment and Gaps Analysis
Each year, Partners conducts a Needs Assessment and Services Gaps Analysis to understand the behavioral health needs of the citizens in the regions we serve. To assist with this process, we want input from every person and from every perspective touched in some way by mental illness, substance use disorders, or intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The survey should only take a few minutes to complete. Want to participate?
Click Here to Complete the Survey
Survey closes February 24, 2017
Partners will use a number of tools–focus groups, consultation with community and provider stakeholders, extensive data analytics, and web-enabled surveys–to develop an effective plan for a more targeted deployment of precious healthcare resources. We appreciate your help in this process.